“Dora The Explorer” Makeover–Grown-Up Dora New Look

Nickelodeon’s Dora The Explorer is getting a new look, and many parents don’t like it, not one little bit. The children’s television network and toy manfacturer Mattel think it’s time darling little Dora grew up, so they’re losing the baby fat and backpack and replacing them with platform sandals and miniskirts.

Last month, Nick and Mattel announced plans to unveil a new tween Dora, who is now described as a fashionable beauty living in the big city.

“For nearly ten years, Dora the Explorer has had such a strong following among preschoolers, catapulting it into the number one preschool show on commercial television,” says Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Mattel. “Girls really identify with Dora and we knew that girls would love to have their friend Dora grow up with them, and experience the new things that they were going through themselves. The brand captures girls’ existing love of Dora and marries it with the fashion doll play and online experiences older girls enjoy.”